Habitat: Donate that old door

Heading to Lowe's? You may want to make one quick stop before hitting that building supply behemoth. The new Habitat Store, a fundraising arm of the international nonprofit Habitat for Humanity, opened at the end of May in the Preston Avenue building adjacent to Reid's Market (in the former Focus Flea Market space). Store manager Ryan Jacoby says donations are booming.

And while he hopes those donations keep coming, he says do-it-yourselfers who haven't yet heard of the Habitat Store are missing out on some sweet deals.

Home supplies including salvaged doors, windows, lighting, plumbing, and more are on sale for as much as 75 percent off full retail price.

"We're a true retail store," Jacoby explains. The architectural recycling store is open only on Thursday and Friday from noon to 6pm and on Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

Habitat for Humanity built eight homes in Charlottesville last year, and all proceeds from the store will fund future Habitat projects. The store also serves another noble purpose.